What is the exact model number etc of this Thinkpad?
If the parallel port CD unit is a "BackPack" from the now defunct Micro Solutions, you'll need [highlight]
this driver[/highlight].
BackPack models supported:
163550 Backpack 2x CD-ROM
163700 Backpack 2x CD-ROM w/Sound
164550 Backpack 4x CD-ROM
164700 Backpack 4x CD-ROM w/Sound
165550 Backpack 6x CD-ROM
165700 Backpack 6x CD-ROM w/Sound
166550 Backpack 8x CD-ROM
166700 Backpack 8x CD-ROM w/Sound
167550 Backpack 32x CD-ROM
167700 Backpack 32x CD-ROM w/Sound
180100 Backpack bantam
180200 Backpack bantam w/Sound
181100 Backpack bantam 24x
181200 Backpack bantam 24x w/Sound
181150 Backpack bantam 24x (No PC Card support in DOS)
190100 Backpack cd-rewriter 2x2x6
190120 Backpack cd-rewriter 4x2x6 (both controllers supported)
190126 Backpack cd-rewriter 4x2x6
190127 Backpack cd-rewriter 4x2x8
190130 Backpack cd-rewriter 4x4x20
191100 Backpack cd-rewriter 4x4x20 (No PC Card support in DOS)
170550 Backpack pd/cd (PD Cartridge in DOS requires BPPDDRV.SYS)
170700 Backpack pd/cd w/Sound (PD Cartridge/DOS requires BPPDDRV.SYS)